RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Aug 13, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks (25) runs with the ball against Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (2) in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Detroit Lions had a couple of injury scares during their preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. But it appears it’s mostly—if not, all—good news for Detroit.
After the game, Lions coach Dan Campbell said that Ennis Rakestraw appears to have avoided a major injury. At the start of the second quarter, Rakestraw took some friendly fire from linebacker Devin White, and a few plays later he made a low tackle on a play and did not initially come up. After walking off the field under his own power and going into the medical tent, he went into the locker room and did not return.
However, Rakestraw got an x-ray which showed no structural damage , and Campbell says it could be something as small as an arm contusion.
“It’s not major. It ended up being—it’s not a head shot—we just think he got a little contusion in the arm,” Campbell said. “It kinda made it numb, so I think he’ll be alright.”
Later in the second quarter, third-year defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo suffered an injury and did not return. Campbell downplayed the injury but did admit he may be entering concussion protocol.
“He just got a little bit of a—got his bell rung a little bit,” Campbell said. “So he could be (in) concussion protocol—but I don’t feel like any of those (injuries) are serious.”
The last player injured could be the one that may be more serious. Lions safety Loren Strickland came up limping while chasing down a receiver in the second half. Campbell said he’s still hopeful for Strickland, but they need to do some imaging first.
“I think all of those guys are okay. Strickland, I think, right now is the one that’s going to be—don’t know. We’ve got to get an image on that,” Campbell said.
Overall, that’s all pretty good news to get out of Cincinnati with minimal injuries.
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